Could be, but in that case it's more likely they are just thugs that enjoy hurting people. The school's not known for it's great thinkers and achievers. Then they weaseled out of it by claiming the teacher made them do it.
Regardless they failed to recognize the girl was within her rights and acted to injure her.
"The student, whose name was not released, was taken to Newton General Hospital on Tuesday night for neck pains and cuts to her body
Future Ds in any case.